While lightning strikes account for many wildfires in our region, most fires are caused by people. In an effort to reduce the number of wildland fires, below are some common ways fires are started. 

Fireworks

Fireworks are illegal in Reno and Washoe County but still account for many fires every summer.

Possession or use of fireworks can result in:

• Misdemeanor charges
• Fines
• Up to six months in jail
• Offenders may also be held responsible for the cost of fighting the fire as well as any property damage  

Anyone wishing to dispose of fireworks can contact the Division of Fire Prevention at 775-334-2300 to have them picked up, or may drop them off at any fire station.

Shooting Safety

Fires are started due to illegal target shooting every year.

• Target shooting is prohibited on our region’s federal lands due to the high fire danger.
• Target shooting is only allowed in designated shooting ranges and shooting within the City limits of Reno is illegal.
• The use of exploding targets or tracer rounds in the city of Reno, Sparks, and federal lands are prohibited. 

Equipment Use

Practice vehicle safety.

Vehicles and power machinery can cause wildfires from overheated equipment, exhaust particles, fuel leaks and friction from motor parts.

• Don’t drive over dried brush and grass.
• Make sure engines are maintained to avoid equipment failure that would produce extensive heat or sparks.
• Maintain proper tire pressure to avoid blowouts and make sure brake pads are not worn out as friction from metal-to-metal contact may create sparks.
• Practice safe towing.
• Use appropriate safety pins and hitch ball to secure chains so they don’t drag.

Smoking

The National Fire Protection Association reports that smoking materials started 47% of the brush or grass fires.

Flicking a cigarette butt on the ground or out of a moving car can easily catch the dry vegetation on fire.

Grill Safety

An outdoor grill in a bad location can easily cause a fire and damage, destroy your property or threaten loved ones.

It is recommended to have at least 10 feet of space between the grill and the house or trees and vegetation.

• Be sure to pour water over coals or ash before disposing of them to make sure the fire is out.
• Always check your grill before starting it to make sure the connection between the propane tank and fuel line are clear with nothing flammable on the burners.
• If your grill flares up, close the lid. This will cut oxygen to the fire and help extinguish it.

Campfires

• Only build a campfire in designated campgrounds or use authorized fire pits away from dry vegetation, trees, bushes or ground cover that could catch fire.
• Never leave a fire unattended or allow it to get out of control
• Be sure to have something nearby that you can use to extinguish a fire
• Always put the fire out before you leave by pouring water over the fire area and spreading dirt on top to ensure that there are no hot embers left behind.

Power lines

There are several potential hazards that may come in contact with a power line and start a fire. Here are a few ways you can prevent a power line fire:

• Check to make sure your trees do not have any loose tree limbs
• Do not release balloons or other flying debris 
• Keep loose items tied down
• Realize that even birds or squirrels can come in contact with a power line
• Our strong winds can also cause power lines to come together, creating sparks and a hot metal globule that can fall to the ground and spark a fire

Call NV Energy immediately if you see any potential hazards that may come in contact with the line or damage to the power poles or insulators.

Arson

Wildland arsons account for 20% of brush fires that have been set intentionally.

• Most arsons happen during the daytime
• Reasons include vandalism, crime concealment, extremism, profit, excitement or revenge
• An arsonist typically looks for opportunity such as areas with dead and dying brush, trash or abandoned furniture.

If you see someone leaving the scene of a fire, capture as much information about the subject and immediately pass it on to law enforcement or a fire official. 

Children Playing with Fire

Children under 12 playing with fire, usually out of curiosity, is the main cause. These cases usually involve more than one child and occur around residences, schools, playgrounds and makeshift campsites.

Always supervise your children and keep make sure they do not have access to matches or lighters. 

Spontaneous Ignition

Examples of materials that are prone to spontaneous combustion are oily rags, hay and other agricultural products. 

To safely dispose of oils and oily rags:

• Preferably use a metal can or container with a tight fitting lid
• Place dirty and used rags inside
• Fill the rest of the container with a mixture of water and soap
• Seal the top shut and do not open it. This will prevent the oils from oxidizing, and keep the rags from heating up and igniting. 

Another alternative for oily rags:

• Spread them out individually on a concrete slab away from any combustibles and let them dry
• Once fully dried (about 24 hours in our climate), the rag will become hard, brittle and will no longer be in danger of spontaneous ignition.
• It can then be disposed of with regular trash. 

For information on how to dispose of hazardous materials, visit the Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful website.

Questions often arise from residents about such things as "What is considered defensible space?" or  "What plants are good to plant near my home that don't constitute a fire hazard?"

The Nevada Cooperative Extension has a website that can assist homeowners with these questions. Visit the Living with Fire website for more information.

Make it easy for firefighters to get to your home

Here are some important steps to ensure the safety of our firefighters, should they respond to a wildland fire in your area:

• Make sure your address is clearly posted and visible from the street
• Regularly check that street signs are posted and unobstructed
• Clear vegetation along both sides of your driveway
• If your driveway is longer than 150 feet, a turnaround large enough for fire equipment is required. 

Work together with your neighbors

As more and more of us move into what was formerly open space, it becomes increasingly important that we work together to keep our homes, our subdivisions, and our communities safe.

If you and your neighbors would like help organizing or making a plan, please do not hesitate to contact the Division of Fire Prevention at 775-334-2300.

Living in Nevada means learning to live in an environment that burns.

As our community moves closer and closer to the wildland urban interface - the area where the "city" meets open land - there are important steps you can take to protect your home from wildfires.

What is Defensible Space?

Defensible Space is the area around your home where the vegetation has been modified to reduce the fire threat.

• The size of a home's defensible space varies, depending upon property size, location, and topography.
• Sometimes, a defensible space is simply a homeowner's properly maintained backyard.
• Other property owners might need to provide over 200 feet of defensible space around their property.

To calculate an effective defensible space for your home, go to www.livingwithfire.info. Click on "before the fire" and then go to the "defensible space" section.

Why create Defensible Space around your home?

A properly designed defensible space is more likely to survive a wildland fire, even without firefighter assistance. It also provides our firefighters with a safe place from which to defend your home from an approaching wildland fire.

How to create Defensible Space

The Reno Fire Department would like to encourage you to create a defensible space around your home. You can do this by implementing the three "R's" into your landscaping design:

• Removal
  • Remove dead or flammable vegetation.

• Reduction
  • Reduce vegetation by pruning or mowing.
  • Providing space between plants and trees removes the continuous fuel bed that might otherwise exist throughout your yard
  • The more continuous and dense the vegetation is in your yard, the greater the wildfire threat to your home.

• Replacement
  • Replace flammable vegetation with less hazardous choices.
  • Shorter plants are better than taller plants
  • Non-woody plants are better than evergreens or junipers

Community Wild Fire Protection Plan 

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaborative strategy crafted by communities and stakeholders to mitigate the risks posed by wildfires. These plans involve assessing local vulnerabilities, engaging residents, government agencies, fire departments, and other stakeholders in the planning process, and outlining specific measures to reduce the potential impacts of wildfires. Key components of CWPPs include conducting risk assessments, implementing mitigation strategies such as creating defensible spaces around homes and infrastructure, improving emergency access routes, and enhancing community preparedness and evacuation planning. CWPPs are often mandated or encouraged by government agencies at various levels to promote wildfire resilience and public safety. For example, the City of Reno's CWPP is tailored to address the specific challenges and opportunities presented by its urban-wildland interface, focusing on prevention and response strategies to safeguard lives, property, and natural resources while fostering a resilient community.

If your community is considering the development of a CWPP, we encourage you to connect with our dedicated Fire Prevention Bureau. You can reach us at 775-334-2300 or email us at rfdwui@reno.gov. We're here to support and guide you through the process, ensuring that your community's unique needs and concerns are addressed effectively in crafting a comprehensive and proactive plan to mitigate wildfire risks. Let's work together to protect lives, property, and the environment from the threat of wildfires.